Latest news with #TironAlexander
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
How one man scammed his way onto 120 FREE flights over six years by posing as a flight attendant
A man who posed as cabin crew and managed to fly for free 120 times has been convicted after finally being caught. Echoing Frank Abagnale Jr's escapades in the 1960s - when the then teenager famously posed as a Pan Am pilot and jetted around the world - Tiron Alexander managed to evade capture for six years. On June 5th, a federal jury in Florida convicted the former airline employee of entering into a secure area of an airport by false pretenses and wire fraud. From 2018 to 2024, the Florida-based 35-year-old accessed flights on an airline carrier's website that were reserved for cabin crew and pilots. Posing as a flight attendant, Alexander managed to board 34 flights with the carrier without detection, after being able to enter in cabin crew badge number details into the airline's flight application website. A statement on the website of the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida detailed his deception. It read: 'Alexander claimed through the airline carrier's website application process - a process that required an applicant to select whether they were a pilot or flight attendant and provide their employer, date of hire, and badge number information - that he worked for seven different airlines and had approximately 30 different badge numbers and dates of hire.' Further evidence found that he had taken a similar approach with three other airlines, with prosecutors believing the amount of flights he boarded by pretending to be a working flight attendant was around 120. After an investigation by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Alexander was arrested and convicted last month. The fraudster is scheduled to be sentenced on August 25th. Alexander had, according to the evidence submitted in court, worked for Delta for two years from 2010 to 2012 as a global ticketing support representative. He was also familiar with the role of flight attendant, having spent a year working for Atlantic Southeast Airlines from 2013 to 2014, while another stint in the skies saw him employed as cabin crew for US regional airline Republic Airways. Trial evidence also showed Alexander had posed as a flight attendant on three other airlines, and he had ultimately booked more than 120 free flights by claiming he was a flight attendant, according to the announcement. According to information published by Fortune, it's thought the frauds mostly took place from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The publication reports that screenshots suggest he was flying on Spirit Airlines, a Florida-based flyer. Alexander's deception appears straight out of the Frank W. Abagnale Jr. handbook, which inspired the 1980 book, 2002 blockbuster movie - starring Leonardo DiCaprio, and 2011 Broadway musical. Abagnale was a clever teen who posed as a Pan Am pilot to travel the world in the 1960s; he raked in $2.5 million passing off bad cheques – all while evading the FBI and Interpol. Once one of the most formidable forgers, Mr Abagnale has since changed his ways and now advises governments and businesses on cybersecurity, identity theft, and scams. Described as the 'ultimate conman' for managing to evade the FBI for years, last year he warned that AI will create a 'tsunami' of scammers just like him. 'Anything today can be replicated, duplicated, counterfeited, deep-faked, or AI-manipulated,' he said, adding: 'Technology breeds crime. It always has and always will.'
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Travel + Leisure
18-06-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This Fraudster Took Over 120 Free Flights by Posing as a Flight Attendant
An incident similar to a Hollywood movie is raising questions with aviation security. A man posing as a flight crew member took multiple flights, all while navigating through airports and security checks. The reported fraudster was recently found guilty of posing as a flight attendant, across as many as four airlines, to take over 120 free or significantly discounted flights. The U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Florida tried a case against the individual, Tiron Alexander, 35, who was found guilty in the jury trial. The fraudulent flight attendant is currently scheduled for sentencing in August. The investigation was a collaboration between multiple federal agencies including the Department of Justice, Transportation Security Administration, and other authorities. 'The evidence at trial also showed that Alexander posed as a flight attendant on three other airline carriers,' a Department of Justice news release said. 'Ultimately, Alexander booked more than 120 free flights by falsely claiming to be a flight attendant.' The entire story has similar notes to the famed Steven Spielberg-directed film "Catch Me If You Can," which stars Leonardo DiCaprio. In the film, DiCaprio's character, based on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., pretends to be an airline pilot and jump seats on different aircraft for free flights. The case is reminiscent of other unusual ways that people have taken to hitch a ride on aircraft. Throughout the 1990s, dozens of people tried stowing in aircraft wheel wells, exposed to the cold air and low oxygen, for free international flights. In May, 57-year old Russian citizen Svetlana Dali was found guilty of sneaking onto a Delta flight, according to NBC News. The traveler made her way past security and airline personnel who were checking boarding tickets. For travelers looking to become flight attendants legally, and enjoy a life in the sky with unlimited free flights, airlines periodically post open calls for applications. For example, Delta expanded its flight attendant roster in 2023 by hosting in-flight crew members with an online form and in-person learning events.
Fox News
17-06-2025
- Fox News
Florida man convicted posing as flight attendant to get dozens of free flights
A South Florida man who pretended to be a flight attendant booked "more than 120 free flights," the Department of Justice (DOJ) said. Tiron Alexander, 35, was convicted by a federal jury of wire fraud and entering a secure area of an airport by false pretenses on June 5, according to a press release by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida. Authorities say from 2018 to 2024, Alexander booked free flights on an airline carrier's website that were only meant for pilots and flight attendants. Of all the flights booked, Alexander flew on 34 "without paying for any of them by posing as a flight attendant who worked for other airlines." The website Alexander used required credentials, such as airline employed by, date of hire and badge number. Over the years, he said that he worked for seven different airlines and used about 30 different badge numbers and dates of hire. "The evidence at trial also showed that Alexander posed as a flight attendant on three other airline carriers. Ultimately, Alexander booked more than 120 free flights by falsely claiming to be a flight attendant," the statement said. The Transportation and Safety Administration (TSA) investigated the case. A spokesman told Fox News Digital the agency is "pleased" with Alexander's guilty verdict on all five counts against him. "While Alexander was able to board flights by fraudulently obtaining a boarding pass, he underwent all applicable TSA security procedures, including ID verification and physical screening, and did not pose a threat to other airline passengers," a TSA statement said. "TSA remains dedicated to the security of the flying public and will continue to support the prosecution of those who break air travel laws," the statement added. Alexander's sentencing is set for Aug. 25.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
A flight attendant impersonator scammed tickets for more than 120 flights
A 35-year-old man was convicted last week of scoring free airline flights by posing as a flight attendant dozens of times since 2018. Tiron Alexander was convicted by a federal jury of wire fraud and entering a secure area of an airport under false pretenses. Authorities said he took advantage of airline policies that allow pilots and flight attendants on competing carriers to fly free as 'non-revenue' passengers. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. According to the U.S. attorney's office, he fraudulently booked more than 120 flights on four airlines to Atlanta, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and other destinations. Of those flights, 34 were on Spirit Airlines. In a news release, prosecutors said he claimed to work for seven airlines, providing about 30 badge numbers and dates of hire to book flights through a website available only to flight crew. He still had to provide his name and birth date to get a boarding pass. 'That information is how he was ultimately caught, with his fraudulently secured flights piling up in Spirit's log books until it was large enough for the airline to take notice,' court documents say. The Transportation Security Administration said it started investigating Alexander in 2023. 'While Alexander was able to board flights by fraudulently obtaining a boarding pass, he underwent all applicable TSA security procedures, including ID verification and physical screening, and did not pose a threat to other airline passengers,' the agency said in a statement. 'TSA remains dedicated to the security of the flying public and will continue to support the prosecution of those who break air travel laws.' A federal grand jury handed down the indictment in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in October, but Alexander wasn't taken into custody until February. He was arrested trying to fly from San Francisco to Australia, according to court records. Alexander most recently worked for American Airlines in customer service, court documents say, but had been suspended without pay for about a year when he was arrested. His employment history, as detailed in filings, shows a long interest in aviation. He worked as a flight attendant for two regional airlines between 2013 and 2015. He had since tried to return to the skies, applying to the Alaska Airlines pilot academy in 2022 and for flight attendant jobs at Alaska and Delta in 2024. Prosecutors declined to comment; Alexander's public defenders did not respond to emails requesting comment Wednesday. Alexander was convicted of four counts of wire fraud, each of which could carry a maximum of 20 years in prison, and one count of entering a secure airport area under false pretenses, which has a maximum sentence of 10 years. Each count can also come with a top fine of $250,000. He is scheduled to be sentenced in August, according to the Justice Department's news release. It is not the first time a flier has pulled one over on an airline. Con man Frank Abagnale Jr. said he posed as a pilot as a teenager for free flights, a feat that got him portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie 'Catch Me if You Can.' A man in India tried to gain his own pilot perks with a fake ID before being arrested in 2019. And a Houston man who had previously worked for an airline pleaded guilty to making false identity cards to get free flights on Spirit in 2021. Related Content He's dying. She's pregnant. His one last wish is to fight his cancer long enough to see his baby. The U.S. granted these journalists asylum. Then it fired them. 'Enough is enough.' Why Los Angeles is still protesting, despite fear.
Toronto Sun
13-06-2025
- Toronto Sun
A flight attendant impersonator scammed tickets for more than 120 flights
Published Jun 13, 2025 • 3 minute read A woman presses the call button of a flight attendant on an airplane. Photo by Getty Images A 35-year-old man was convicted last week of scoring free airline flights by posing as a flight attendant dozens of times since 2018. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Tiron Alexander was convicted by a federal jury of wire fraud and entering a secure area of an airport under false pretenses. Authorities said he took advantage of airline policies that allow pilots and flight attendants on competing carriers to fly free as 'non-revenue' passengers. According to the U.S. attorney's office, he fraudulently booked more than 120 flights on four airlines to Atlanta, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and other destinations. Of those flights, 34 were on Spirit Airlines. In a news release, prosecutors said he claimed to work for seven airlines, providing about 30 badge numbers and dates of hire to book flights through a website available only to flight crew. He still had to provide his name and birth date to get a boarding pass. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'That information is how he was ultimately caught, with his fraudulently secured flights piling up in Spirit's log books until it was large enough for the airline to take notice,' court documents say. The Transportation Security Administration said it started investigating Alexander in 2023. 'While Alexander was able to board flights by fraudulently obtaining a boarding pass, he underwent all applicable TSA security procedures, including ID verification and physical screening, and did not pose a threat to other airline passengers,' the agency said in a statement. 'TSA remains dedicated to the security of the flying public and will continue to support the prosecution of those who break air travel laws.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A federal grand jury handed down the indictment in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in October, but Alexander wasn't taken into custody until February. He was arrested trying to fly from San Francisco to Australia, according to court records. Alexander most recently worked for American Airlines in customer service, court documents say, but had been suspended without pay for about a year when he was arrested. His employment history, as detailed in filings, shows a long interest in aviation. He worked as a flight attendant for two regional airlines between 2013 and 2015. He had since tried to return to the skies, applying to the Alaska Airlines pilot academy in 2022 and for flight attendant jobs at Alaska and Delta in 2024. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Prosecutors declined to comment; Alexander's public defenders did not respond to emails requesting comment Wednesday. Alexander was convicted of four counts of wire fraud, each of which could carry a maximum of 20 years in prison, and one count of entering a secure airport area under false pretenses, which has a maximum sentence of 10 years. Each count can also come with a top fine of $250,000. He is scheduled to be sentenced in August, according to the Justice Department's news release. It is not the first time a flier has pulled one over on an airline. Con man Frank Abagnale Jr. said he posed as a pilot as a teenager for free flights, a feat that got him portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie 'Catch Me if You Can.' A man in India tried to gain his own pilot perks with a fake ID before being arrested in 2019. And a Houston man who had previously worked for an airline pleaded guilty to making false identity cards to get free flights on Spirit in 2021. 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